the house that Malcolm built

Malcolm was our neighbour from decades ago at Harley Rd. I first spoke to him when he was poking at our next door neighbour's sub dividing property with his wheelbarrow in tow!  Come to think of it, he was very mobile then.
I could see him most days walking to the supermarket past our place hands at back holding a light blue bag. Bumping into him here and there, I got to know few things. Like he has poached egg for breakfast when I tried to wipe some yellow remnant off his mouth. He was getting meals on wheels but remarkably independent. He showed me around his place once, his bathroom had a piece of carpet laid! He must have built it before the bridge and clip-ons. Loved his navy stories and submarines and Russians not that I remember the content. Cosy family home but his wife passed, daughters estranged and he was left alone. It was very good of the Navy to take and scatter his ashes out at sea as he wished. I didn't mind listening to the same story few more times. 

He spoke to his friend May every night on the phone, from whom I got to know of his passing. Met at his place, had a good chat. The house was left to her. 
I thought the house will stay as long as she lives. The house is still here. It was rented out before, I know that much. Bit appalled that grass has grown over the foot entrance and letterbox is almost buried. 

So there you have it. I still remember Malcolm 20 years or so after he left. I could've done more, visited regularly so you didn't have to tell me on the street in the rain that "I haven't spoken to any one today". Sorry.